When evaluating your needs for a transportation management system it’s important to look beyond technology and consider who will manage planning and execution. Use this advice to determine if a managed service provider will deliver greater value than developing an in-house team.

By tapping into outsourced logistics support, shippers arm themselves with the technology, talent, and experience at a lower price than employed resources, which allow companies to invest and focus on their core competencies.

Through automated, rules-based wave management and replenishment, American Hotel Register Company was able to eliminate manual sortation and create multiple, tailored options to proactively release orders by type.

If there’s one lesson that we’ve learned from fine bourbon or whiskey, it’s that good things come to those who wait. Distilleries know this better than anyone. But when it’s time to get that product out the door and in the hands of distributors, the last thing a distiller wants to do is wait.

3PL warehouses are not only in demand, but in a position of strength. This provides 3PL operators a unique opportunity to build lasting relationships with key customers, suppliers, and retailers of their choice.

With no standard terminology in an already-complex industry, it’s not surprising that so many TMS buyers have trouble figuring out the differences between solutions and which one best fits their needs. Here's how to cut through the confusion.

Choosing the right shipping software is critical because
it impacts your company’s bottom line. Here are eight
steps to take to ensure you choose the right solution for
your company’s individual needs.

As wearable technologies, such as smart glasses and augmented reality, grow less expensive and more accessible, an increasing number of companies are exploring whether wearables could benefit their warehouse operation.

Winter provides a great advantage–time. The hustle and bustle of the holidays is over and colder weather prevails. There’s no better time to hit the books and amp up your knowledge of important logistics and supply chain management issues.

Oregon-based manufacturer Blount International was bleeding money from leaks all across its supply chain. It found that the correct application of the right data management technology provided and maintained by the right partner was the solution to the problem.

Presidential nominee stances on transportation infrastructure; New truck standards aim to reduce U.S. carbon emissions; Staffing Agencies and Colleges Work to Make Certain the Supply Chain Stays Supplied

Technology can make the difference between profit and loss in a low-margin environment. As margins squeeze ever tighter, staying current with technology can make the ultimate difference ultimate success or failure.

Emerging technologies such as the Internet of Things, 3-D printing, collaborative robotics, self-driving trucks, drones and the Uberization of deliveries are poised to be disruptive influences on logistics in the coming years.

Connected, intelligent, scalable, and rapid, the digital supply network is ready to be deployed today. Companies may hold on to the dying linear supply chain, but they are closing themselves off from a strategy that operates at a lower price point and enables growth.

Disruption is coming to the freight and logistics industry. By seeing and understanding the full spectrum of operations, transport-oriented firms can survive and succeed in a dramatically changed environment.

STEM disciplines broaden the field of logistics and industry standards by involving process strategies, planning, implementation tactics, and optimization in supply and demand. This is a fact students are recognizing and capitalizing on.

Planners use sophisticated supply chain modeling and simulation to gauge the results of decisions before enacting them and to prepare for a range of possible scenarios. The result is better-prepared companies with a more clear view of themselves and their futures.

The cornerstone of collaborative logistics is timely visibility. Data about orders, inventory, transportation, and spend need to all funnel into a common denominator big data repository and be readily accessible.

From well-designed redundancies across intermodal shipping methods to creative solutions when the unexpected happens, Georgia’s logistics industry is positioned to help shippers connect, compete, and grow.

It is critical that 3PLs take a hard look at operations to determine areas for cost reduction, productivity and efficiency improvements, and opportunities for new service offerings and revenue streams.

To help combat counterfeiting, the premium beverage industry is taking advantage of serial numbers on product packages to uniquely identify each product for increased connectivity throughout packaging operations and the supply chain.

The booming liquor business has added several layers of complexity to the supply chain with the addition of many new product SKUs. Shippers are using technology, data, and collaboration to keep the supply chain moving efficiently.

A connected warehouse maximizes warehouse efficiency, as well as positions a company to decisively navigate constant changes across the supply chain. Real-time data intelligence delivers the visibility and control needed to effect measurable improvements.

A system developed by The Smart Cube pulls and aggregates information from all Elizabeth Arden’s contract manufacturers, providing a consolidated, accurate view of data across the company’s supply chain. The cosmetics giant now can see, in real time, the purchases its network of manufacturers makes on its behalf.

3PLs tout IoT as top disruptive innovation in the supply chain; Hyundai and Accenture team up to design smarter ship; TMS use has tripled over the past decade; new sustainability web platform helps shippers assess key trends and best practices.

Inbound Logistics’ annual Logistics Technology Perspectives offers market research to help IT buyers and users make better sense of what’s going on in the industry. And, the Top 100 Logistics Technology Providers list celebrates best-in-class innovators that are helping shippers revolutionize their supply chains.

Finding the right candidate for your business is a challenge that requires broad advertising, rigorous interviews, and ultimately some give and take. Here are five hacks for outstanding recruiting in supply chain management.

As organizations continue to outsource, form partnerships and share data with third parties, a strong vendor risk management program that stays ahead or risks in the information supply chain has to be a top priority.

The shared economy leverages shared access to goods and services to allow suppliers and consumers to redistribute and reuse excess capacity. Here's why the 'shareconomy' will be a supply chain game-changer and how professionals can begin moving in that direction.

From basic improvements like streamlining operations and increasing process efficiency to fully automating delivery trucks, technology is enabling much smarter, simpler supply chain management. Read about the three technologies making the most impact.

While the rewards of global operations are substantial, so are the risks. Compliance failures delay shipments, disrupt operations, and negatively impact your bottom line. These five tips will help you mitigate risk.

Most companies have insurance to protect their property and equipment, their vehicles, and their operations from disruptions due to natural disasters and other events. For companies with extensive supply chains, cargo insurance can be an important addition to this list.

The subscription box industry launched by beauty products curator Birchbox in 2010 has expanded to include services for a remarkably wide range of consumer interests. A behind-the-scenes peek at this new e-commerce model reveals a highly complicated business that relies heavily on logistics pros managing everything from inventory to kitting to delivery and returns.

Aaron Leach is senior director of supply chain with Wayne Farms, LLC, in Oakwood, Ga. He has held this position since 2013. Wayne Farms is the sixth largest vertically integrated producer and processor of poultry in the United States.

Future of globalization uncertain in current political landscape, Carlos Slim says Trump presidency could be good for Mexico, IATA promotes advancement of air cargo standards, India seeks to expand air cargo infrastructure, 10 supply chain predictions for the future of manufacturing.

To overcome the challenges that e-commerce presents to the supply chain, shippers need to succeed at omni-channel fulfillment. From leveraging brick-and-mortar stores to deploying an order management system, here’s how they can compete in an e-commerce world.

Today, we face the slow extinction of independent owner-operators. These self-reliant business owners are now dealing with a myriad of regulations that will soon make the owner-operator model impractical, and its survival improbable.

Suppliers have to be lean, fast, and innovative to meet their clients’ needs. To ensure they’re capable of being exactly that, OEMs need to bring in expertise across the whole business to ensure they get a strategic supply chain partner.

As Americans’ fondness for trucks and automobiles has grown, the specialized parts market represents the fastest growing subset of the automotive aftermarket. The emerging specialized parts sector of the automotive supply chain is vast and complex and requires skilled management.

As product demand continues to rise, companies in all industries are partnering with third-party logistics (3PL) providers to ensure their products are delivered to customers on time and cost effectively.

The logistics of trade between the United States and Mexico has changed significantly in the 20-plus years since NAFTA was enacted. There are still issues, most notably border delays and an imbalance of goods flowing north and south, but there are bright spots supported by an influx of foreign direct investment in Mexico, too.

Cruise ship provisions must support a small town at sea for a week or more. Supplies are loaded on a docked vessel in four hours or less; there’s no second chance for deliveries that arrive after the ship has sailed.

While the regulations that govern the movement of goods across borders can (and do) fill volumes, some are of particular importance right now. These include changes to the Harmonized System, revisions to the regulations regarding the export and import of hazardous waste, guidance on voluntary self-disclosures, mandates regarding electronic logging devices, and modifications to Cuba sanctions. This article provides an overview.

Today’s logistics and supply chain management students are practical idealists, people who want successful careers that draw on their knowledge, skills and talents while allowing them to make the world — and the workplace — a better place.

Even when the economy isn’t booming, the supply chain offers numerous opportunities for shippers to increase efficiency, save money and enhance revenues. This story looks at some of the bright spots in transportation, technology, global trade and outsourcing.

By managing inbound freight spend, shippers can decouple transportation costs from suppliers’ product charges and gain visibility to the lanes, volumes and synergistic opportunities that exist within their outbound network.

Are you thinking about pursuing a certificate or certification in the supply management profession to enhance your knowledge and improve your career possibilities? Here’s a checklist to get you started.

Faculty members from some of the nation’s leading logistics and supply chain education programs share their thoughts about how higher education is preparing tomorrow’s professionals for the challenges ahead.

From item-level inventory data and GPS to condition monitoring and signals from social media, new data sources are augmenting available supply chain data. Find out how to extract value from this influx of information.

Take your logistics and supply chain career to the next level by understanding how your skills can impact an organization, networking with other industry professionals, and continuing to develop critical skills.

Implementing material handling automation within a distribution center requires an experienced systems integration, which acts as a matchmaker to ensure the software communicates fully and freely with the facility’s equipment.

As consumers expect increasingly shorter delivery windows, last-mile proximity isn’t just nice to have, it’s a must-have. Will O’Shea of XPO Logistics’ offers these tips to leverage the last mile into a competitive differentiator.

Despite Lean traditionally being thought of as a “pen and pencil” technique, it is in fact a key enabler of a lean supply chain linking lean thinking with available and affordable systems and technologies to get the most out of improved processes.

As U.S. firms continue to reshore, new supply chain opportunities are arising for both shippers and providers. Manufacturers and their logistics service providers should understand the reshoring trend and the resources that are available to assist them with both the reshoring decision and process.

Hiring challenges in the supply chain sector include attracting the best talent, developing leaders, and retaining high performers. To solve these issues, employers must step up and build training programs that instill passion, share purpose, provide clear leadership and promotion tracks, are authentic, and ultimately diminish turnover.

Inbound Logistics talks to carriers and third-party logistics (3PL) providers about sure-fire ways to save money on LTL shipments and serves up a list of 18 tips that will help shippers of all types and sizes.

Freight remains a key component of most companies’ transportation expense. Along with ensuring the freight bills are accurate and reflect contracted terms—a key capability—freight payment and audit firms can add even greater value.

On the water and in the air, by road and by rail, the Sunshine State stands out as a logistics superstar. But stick around awhile – it’s also a great place to live, work, and to keep your products safe for the long haul.

ElectriCities of North Carolina works with companies closely to make sure they weigh electrical service and costs when planning to expand a site or relocate to a new one. Utilities such as ElectriCities must explore the unique circumstances of each company to help them meet their electrical needs in the most effective and cost-efficient way possible.

Brexit shakes up global supply chain; Amazon invests $3 billion in India; Hyperloop targets Russia as site for science fiction-like transit tube; Australian truckies want better working conditions; Despite the best-laid plans by multinational companies to establish trade compliance, there’s a costly risk gap between knowing and doing that may lead to fines and incarceration.

With the growth of e-commerce, retailers have identified a potential opportunity to reduce working capital by thinning inventory at brick-and-mortar stores—opting instead to maintain major portions of inventory at distribution centers upstream.

The supply chain strategy shift, from business cost efficiency to customer purchase location flexibility, is similar to the Copernican Revolution. Here’s how supply chain managers can increase product velocity using a customer-centric business model.

If your company’s supply chain isn’t aligned with your overall business competitive strategy, then performance may fall short of expectations, with higher costs, poor execution, and reduced revenue and profits.

Keeping cargo secure requires visibility and the automation technology to enable this view into your shipments. Additionally, immediate access to rapidly changing requirements for import and export activities plays a key role in light of new security concerns.

Outsourcing trade compliance activities does not mean outsourcing trade compliance responsibilities. Here’s how to work with your forwarder to create a ‘win-win’ partnership where compliance is the top goal.

Success in the secondhand phone market requires the ability to spot and adapt quickly to market trends. The right supply chain partners can help maximize earnings and navigate the uncertain terrain ahead.

Importers need to know what they’re doing to ensure goods proceed through U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) as smoothly as possible, including understanding the relevant regulations and ensuring such information as the product descriptions and classifications are complete.

Healthcare organizations are transforming how they source supplies and connect with manufacturers and service providers to meet emerging patient demands, address healthcare legislation, support an overall focus on improving patient care, and lower healthcare costs.

Ice cream companies have to ensure their products maintain their quality as they travel from the manufacturing plant to distribution center to the retailer, and finally into the consumer’s shopping cart and home. Cold chain management and proper sanitation are key ingredients.

Supply chain logistics companies view veterans as a crucial pool of potential employees, and consequently they are using a range of methods to recruit and hire former members of the military for their workforces.

The anticipated shifts in the European regulatory landscape introduce new tensions along the world’s supply chains. The establishment of cross-functional teams inside a company’s management structure can help an integrated strategy to succeed.

Supply chain professionals face increasing complexity. In order to succeed, they must prepare for data security concerns, identify preferred team member attributes, and develop a strong collective financial acumen.

As major airlines implement the eAWB single-process approach in March 2016, industry-wide involvement in the program is encouraged for all participants as paperless air cargo supply chain operations lower costs, increase data accuracy, and improve the customer experience.

Now is the right time to improve your supply chain’s stability, scalability and resiliency. Transportation providers are seeking collaboration with shippers as their networks have also experienced significant change.

This story provides a look at how e-commerce and logistics information technology help small and medium-sized businesses gain advantages that allow them to compete as though they were larger companies.

Driven by the realization that business and society can no longer intersect at the crossroads of profits first and society second, business is embracing a new order that puts the interests of society on a level that is at par with the interests of business. This has prompted a closer look at the supply chain and an increased emphasis on sustainable sourcing.

Military outsourcing is good in concept but often problematic in practice for several reasons discussed in this article. Contracting for services year after year in support of multi-front contingency operations and train and assist missions, all with no clear end-dates in site, has the potential to be harmful to the “profession of arms” (a vocation comprised of experts certified in the ethical application of combat power, serving under civilian authority, entrusted to defend the Constitution and the rights and interests of the American people) and cost more than anticipated. This article will discuss why military outsourcing is currently problematic and explore why the military outsources mission-essential services. A comparison of similar outsourcing incentives associated with both military and manufacturing industrial complexes is discussed, along with some advantages and disadvantages of outsourcing with these sectors. The article concludes with a prediction as to what the primary outsourcing drivers will be for future military and manufacturing outsourcing decisions.

Three recent developments—a shift to omni-channel retailing, an increase in manufacturing investment in Mexico, and the approval of the Trans-Pacific Partnership—are having a pronounced impact on automotive aftermarket supply chains. Here’s how automakers, auto parts suppliers, and logistics service providers can respond effectively.

As shippers evaluate existing, merged, or new 3PL providers, they should also be aware of their own processes and approach to vendor relationships and choose partners that best align with their strategies and needs.

Investments in pick/put-to-light technology, wearables, robotic AGVs, high-speed conveyors, voice-directed picking, and a warehouse control system equate to an automated, smart, and efficient distribution center.

Establishing the groundwork and collaboration are vital to developing the solutions needed for the significant workforce challenges faced by the transportation industry. A key part of the mission is to attract women to the traditionally male-dominated transportation profession.

As the need for the transportation of items with potentially sensitive data increases, companies must assess the data risks and work with an ITAD provider to deliver a secure chain of custody process flow.

Reassessing your reverse logistics plan for customer returns and excess inventory is a must in today’s retail environment. Look beyond traditional methods and approach this obsolete merchandise as an opportunity (versus a headache) to positively impact your business margin.

Waiting until next week, next month, or next year to address your company’s supply chain vulnerability is a serious mistake, with potentially catastrophic consequences. Use these tips to prepare for potential supply chain disruptions.

In the past 20 years, companies have experienced a profound shift, and have dramatically increased their spending on external suppliers. This places the supply management function in the spotlight as a key driver of profitability. The better supply management teams are at selecting, overseeing, and collaborating with these partners, the stronger their organizations will be.

Nutrabolt’s rapid growth created several logistics challenges, including processing orders efficiently and quickly; absorbing dramatic swings in order volumes to support promotional campaigns; and providing omni-channel fulfillment through a single warehouse. A third-party logistics partnership with Kane Is Able helped Nutrabolt meet these challenges.

The Internet of Things is bringing major changes to the way companies plan and execute supply chain activities as sensors, communications systems, and analytics solutions all become cheaper, faster, and more capable.

Grocers will have to transform aggressively and adapt swiftly if they want to avoid the fate of retailers in other segments. They will need to digitize their stores and consumer experiences. Here's how they should optimize their supply chain.

Managing a business for sustained growth means finding and implementing innovative solutions to the challenges of complex supply chain logistics. To achieve lasting, repeatable innovation, check out these real-world solutions.

VMI is a way for suppliers to manage re-supply by monitoring customer stock levels and forward demand that optimizes working capital with service levels. Use these tips for best managing the VMI relationship.

The bridal wear supply chain is unlike any other in the apparel industry in that most bridal gowns are made to order, wedding dates create hard and fast dress deadlines, and emotional brides can turn a minor supply chain snafu into a major meltdown. Long lead times for dress manufacturers help make sure that deadlines get met and wedding parties are happy.

Organizations have already begun to transition the delivery of supply chain and logistics services from an internal model to an external one, says a recent market study by KPMG and HfS Research. Here's how companies should leverage future trends revealed by the study to create intelligent supply chains.

Sometimes, for even the most critical shipments, the shipper receives information for only two data points: when the shipment left their hands and confirmation the shipment has arrived. Here's why so-called black box shipping is on its way out.

Agilent Technologies, a global high tech life sciences, diagnostics and applied chemical company applies sophisticated scientific methods provided by CorpU to implement sweeping new order fulfillment and supply chain strategies. Using the CorpU platform, and its precision tools, procedures and metrics for both engaging and educating employees, Agilent's transition from design to implementation for new supply chain plans was reduced from months to just 10 days.

Powered by the Internet of Things, the next generation control tower will extend supply chain visibility and control tower services down to the level of things – however large, small, or geographically dispersed they may be.

Same-day production and delivery is possible if communications between production and logistics is fully automated. A live experiment showed the path of an urgently needed replacement part as it moved from the initial order through production to final delivery: all in a single day.

The primary use for blockchain is improving supply chain transparency and traceability, according to a new benchmark survey focused on blockchain in supply chain management and trade finance. Other important advantages include transaction cost reductions and enhanced trust between supply chain partners.

Senior executives have set their sights on digital and automated solutions that cut costs and plan to invest in a number of key areas over the next two years, according to the 2017 State of the Outsourcing, Shared Services, and Operations Industry report.

To uphold a reliable supply chain, companies should have a business continuity plan. Here are the lesson learned in the aftermath of the Tianjin port explosions in August 2015 and how you can apply them to your supply chain.

In any business venture that sells vast amounts of product at a time, fast and accurate counting methods are essential. Here are some ways to make sure you get the most accurate and efficient count from your counting scales.

As professional logisticians and supply chain managers, we are in a unique position to assist military service members transition into jobs in the supply chain sector. Here's why it's critical to help them and how to do it.

Ready to adopt the "full circle" approach to waste elimination in your supply chain? An Accenture Strategy report finds that while companies welcome this approach, their efforts are often only skin deep. Here's how to capture the full potential of the growing circular economy.

Rust-Oleum selected Celtic International, Transplace’s intermodal business unit, to provide intermodal and over-the-road transportation services for domestic shipments between its own facilities as well to its retailer customers.

Distribution centers (DCs) play a key role in the overall success of each peak season, as supply chain professionals must meet the surge in consumer demand and fulfill orders efficiently. Here are 10 ways to help you identify and fill seasonal needs of distribution centers.

Supply chain professionals are concerned: Would the new president implement the protectionist measures he campaigned on, or were those statements made primarily to appeal to an audience? Here are four supply chain predictions.

Having all supply chain players connected to an intelligent cargo system maximizes the use of port infrastructure and keeps everyone informed on the “where is my cargo?” question. Accessing and sharing information on cargo through new technologies will not only smooth flows but it will also secure them.

South Korean ocean liner Hanjin Shipping files for bankruptcy protection in a dozen countries; Few respondents to a GT Nexus survey say they have a chief supply chain officer on hand who would be equipped to deal with supply chain disruptions; Maersk splits its transportation and oil businesses

As professionals who understand the entire process of manufacturing, shipping, and marketing products, and who recognize that suppliers can be closely aligned with the company’s goals and objectives, chief procurement officers help define a company’s competitive advantage.

The Canadian eManifest improves security by receiving cargo and conveyance information before a shipment arrives at the border. Here's what companies involved in U.S.–Canada highway transport should know about the regulation to improve efficiency, boost productivity, and increase compliance rates.

The supply management sector is becoming increasingly more strategic, requiring its professionals to develop new competencies while they are in the midst of busy careers. Here's how e-learning helps supply chain professionals stay competitive.

Rising consumer expectations are driving change throughout the supply chain. And there’s no tougher test for meeting increased expectations than Black Friday. The time is now for warehouse managers to examine the three critical success factors in warehouse labor management.

With demand for speed and convenience at an all-time high, companies must streamline and speed up order fulfillment. Technology that allows sales reps and customers to rapidly write orders and submit them almost instantaneously for fulfillment is a major competitive advantage.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) implemented the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) requirement to verify container weight as a condition to load marine cargo into a ship. It recently issued a memo on how to enforce the requirement for three months after July 1, 2016 when it will go into effect. How should shippers interpret this update?

On May 1, 2016, North American companies that trade with the EU and those with operations in the EU witnessed the beginning of the largest change to European customs procedures in the past 20 years. Find out more about the Union Customs Code (UCC).

Texts, tweets, and posts are changing the ways in which the supply chain operates. Large suppliers and warehousing companies should use social media to better communicate with consumers and maximize productivity.

The St. Louis region offers an ideal transportation infrastructure to move goods, skilled labor to meet the peaks and valleys of industrial demand, and the availability of highly qualified IT personnel to manage staff and facilities.

The reverse logistics hazmat rule became effective immediately upon publication on March 31, 2016, making it critical that retail store owners and distribution managers get up to speed quickly. Here's how.

Companies are beginning to understand that they need to develop a labeling strategy to meet all of the challenges of today’s global supply chain. Here's how to implement an enterprise labeling approach.

A solid foundation of supply chain experience and education is just the beginning. Supply chain practitioners need to periodically update their knowledge as well. Here’s how companies are getting with the program— customizing curriculums and encouraging employees to enroll in executive education programs.

East Coast Warehouse & Distribution’s strategic port location brings both advantages and challenges. Its facility keeps supply chains rocking, serving as the crucial first step in importers’ distribution systems in the United States, through port delays and even Superstorm Sandy.

Contract manufacturer Apex International had seen its growth halt as it struggled to deliver products on time and provide sufficient quality control. With the help of Simpler Consulting, Apex adopted Lean management principles to transform its culture and return the company to a path of growth.

When Thermo Fisher Scientific wanted to improve worker safety in its bioproducts cold chain warehouse, it developed a novel deli-door solution that reduced the number of pickers in the cold storage and freezer spaces, dramatically improved picking safety and efficiency, and created more product storage space.

Good data assists fleet managers in budgeting short- and long-term costs, determining correct fleet size, and evaluating whether to lease or buy new equipment. Use these tips to get the most out lift truck fleet data.

New York State minimum wage directive may be a tipping point for automation in the fast food industry; Organic food recalls are on the rise; Alix Partners reports that nearshoring trend continues to grow; Pro truck interests take weight restriction fight in new direction; 2015 holiday shoppers are looking for options; The cash handling supply chain is poised to move from manual processing to scanning technology, thanks to the new GS1 US Cash Visibility Discussion Group.

Warehouse operations no longer allow for “business as usual” practices. New initiatives and strategic investments in capital improvements will lead to greater returns in productivity, profitability, and customer satisfaction. Investing in the latest materials handling equipment, WMS technology, and physical building improvements will result in a fully integrated distribution center.

No matter how thoroughly safety training requirements are followed, there are still likely to be gaps in your company’s loading dock safety efforts. Use these tips to better shape safety training plans.

Companies searching for the just the right spot to locate their manufacturing plants, warehouses, and other facilities rank energy high on the list of their priorities. This article explore the sites that rise to the top of the list.

Kelvin Miller, an equipment and mobility readiness spare parts allocation supervisor with the military contractor DynCorp International, manages inventory and gets it ready to deploy when the time comes.

Vehicle-to-Vehicle communications and Vehicle-to-Infrastructure technologies will revolutionize transportation by making our road system safer, more efficient, and less dependent upon the human element for effective decision-making.

A new study determines the top 15 undergraduate and graduate supply chain management programs in the United States, based on the teaching of technology, software, and quantitative tools used by supply chain professionals, as well as the variety and depth of this coursework.

Supply management professionals are increasingly accepting cross-functional cooperation in purchasing, supply management, production and inventory control to optimize overall company performance and increase competitiveness.

Today’s supply chain environment is more complex than ever, and it is important for business partners to work together across the value chain with the intent to maximize the benefit to their customers .

New regulations ensuring the integrity of the pharma supply chain are nearing the finish line. While some companies have taken an early lead to compliance, others are late getting out of the gate. Which team are you on?

Challenging weather and a remote location make delivering freight to and from Alaska a complex operation. To simplify operations, many shippers turn to transportation companies and logistics service providers that have the expertise to make sure freight flows smoothly despite the complexities.

U.S. beef supply chain participants form partnership to improve sustainability; Manufacturers and retailers fail to adopt best-in-class processes and technology to address global complexities; Online retailers need to rethink how they align their distribution networks; Spot market rates dip seasonally as West Coast volumes catch up; Staples and Syracuse University partner to drive new research and innovation.

United States and Canada are investing $7 billion in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence system; Changing political relations between the United States and Cuba could signal new trade opportunities; UK faces a truck driver shortage among younger people; Panama approves new port development

A route planning systems can drastically reduce the time it takes to plan your transportation schedule. Other benefits include lower mileage and fuel usage, decreased carbon emissions, and increased customer service.

Texas places three locations among ATRI’s top-10 congested roadways; Truck size and weight debate is a divisive topic for the transportation and logistics industry; Truck driver shortage raises new concerns and costs for shippers and carriers; Electronics supply chain poses new challenges; Demand planning is still a pain point for shippers

Vendor Managed Inventory is shaking off its old-school image and regaining popularity thanks to improved technology, robust communication, tighter demand signal linkage, and a new openness to collaboration that has turbo-charged enterprise benefits.

North America’s manufacturing sector is on an upward trajectory. However, a shortage of young talent, compounded by Baby Boomers’ negative perceptions about Millennials, could impact its continued expansion, according to ThomasNet’s latest Industry Market Barometer® (IMB) research.

Inclement weather and capacity problems giving your supply chain the winter woes? Chill out! Here are some good reads to keep you up to date on supply chain, logistics, and transportation best practices.

Technology is enabling an unprecedented level of transparency and communication to help shippers and their logistics providers understand each other's operations, and collaborate in ways that were much more difficult in the past.

Technology management can affect warehouse operations’ connectivity during and after a power outage. Whether the facility’s warehouse management system (WMS) is installed on-site, delivered via a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) program, or hosted in the cloud can have a huge impact on maintaining productivity, writes John Sterling of Foxfire Software.

Ralph Lauren’s transport operations team lacked the ability to dynamically route international air freight according to real-time best service and cost options, and it showed in inflated shipping costs. When a market search found no suitable transportation management system (TMS) for international air freight, the company decided to create its own, with help from solutions provider Acuitive Solutions.

Transportation and logistics technology solutions such as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) transportation management systems (TMS) enrich and empower the user community by integrating partners and aggregating data.

For the aftermarket auto parts business, where materials handling is as important to the bottom line as execution, planning begins with implementing a Web-based warehouse and inventory management system, writes Jim Burleigh of SmartTurn.

Amazon receives patent to parachute packages from the sky; Supply chain stakeholders double down on climate change; Retailers losing up to 70 percent of order value to fulfillment costs; U.S. manufacturing, logistics industries grew dramatically over last generation;

Brands and retailers can win or lose long-term customers on the quality of their product and supply-chain data. Here's how to maintain complete, consistent information that can be understood and utilized throughout the supply chain.

VMI is a way for suppliers to manage re-supply by monitoring customer stock levels and forward demand that optimizes working capital with service levels. Use these tips for best managing the VMI relationship.

People transitioning out of the military possess many skills that directly apply to a career in logistics. Yet a post-military career in logistics remains a largely untapped opportunity. Here’s how to change that.

Distributors continue to play a valuable role within many supply chains. At the same time, changing business models, and especially the rise of e-commerce, are prompting many to enhance the services they offer.

The bridal wear supply chain is unlike any other in the apparel industry in that most bridal gowns are made to order, wedding dates create hard and fast dress deadlines, and emotional brides can turn a minor supply chain snafu into a major meltdown. Long lead times for dress manufacturers help make sure that deadlines get met and wedding parties are happy.

Whether they are supporting ventures in embargoed countries or first-ever projects in remote locations, logistics teams must be prepared to think quickly and clearly when unanticipated challenges arise

Organizations have already begun to transition the delivery of supply chain and logistics services from an internal model to an external one, says a recent market study by KPMG and HfS Research. Here's how companies should leverage future trends revealed by the study to create intelligent supply chains.

CVS Pharmacy, Amazon, and others have invested more than $456 million in warehousing and distribution centers in the KC region, adding 4,700 jobs since 2015. How has this mid-sized Midwestern region been so successful attracting logistics operations? Why are experts predicting continued growth?

E-Commerce has generated significant volumes of sales in the U.S. electronics and clothing industries but has yet to gain traction in other retail sectors, according to a CBRE Group, Inc. analysis of recently released government data.

Agilent Technologies, a global high tech life sciences, diagnostics and applied chemical company applies sophisticated scientific methods provided by CorpU to implement sweeping new order fulfillment and supply chain strategies. Using the CorpU platform, and its precision tools, procedures and metrics for both engaging and educating employees, Agilent's transition from design to implementation for new supply chain plans was reduced from months to just 10 days.

Nearly half of avid U.S. online shoppers bought items from international retailers, demonstrating the need for retailers to offer more personalized services as a way to compete against lower prices, according to the sixth annual UPS Pulse of the Online Shopper study.

Hackers can shut down entire organizations by infiltrating systems, locking down digital assets, and making all files and folders inaccessible. No fulfillment. No new client acquisition. No checking inventory. Here's how to make sure that doesn’t happen.

Powered by the Internet of Things, the next generation control tower will extend supply chain visibility and control tower services down to the level of things – however large, small, or geographically dispersed they may be.

As businesses look for ways to improve and optimize the supply chain with customers in mind, they need to factor in elements that will allow them to leverage the supply chain in order to fuel customer loyalty.

J.B. Hunt and University of Arkansas' innovation center will enable engineering, computer science, and business researchers and students to work with J.B. Hunt employees in finding solutions to real-world problems through innovative design and technology-driven supply chain solutions.

Effectively managing this temperature-controlled supply chain is more challenging than ever. Here are three technologies that are helping life sciences and healthcare organizations meet the sector's increasingly exacting requirements.

While cutting transportation costs seems like a tall order, there are a few easy ways to work with your company’s procurement department to cut spending without impacting the benefits of strategic logistics.

Senior executives have set their sights on digital and automated solutions that cut costs and plan to invest in a number of key areas over the next two years, according to the 2017 State of the Outsourcing, Shared Services, and Operations Industry report.

In any business venture that sells vast amounts of product at a time, fast and accurate counting methods are essential. Here are some ways to make sure you get the most accurate and efficient count from your counting scales.

Gelnius’ new technology platform has the ability to save money based on customers achieving reduced transportation cost and better management of administration overhead, as well as cost savings linked to visibility of all freight transactions on a single platform.

The deal comes at a critical time for the Silicon Valley-based electric car company, as it prepares for Model 3 production and readies to face one of the largest growth phases in the company’s history.

Follow these 8 steps to reap significant cost savings and performance enhancements while also reducing the use of limited natural resources and mitigating the negative environmental effects of transportation-related emissions.

Ready to adopt the "full circle" approach to waste elimination in your supply chain? An Accenture Strategy report finds that while companies welcome this approach, their efforts are often only skin deep. Here's how to capture the full potential of the growing circular economy.

Despite Lean traditionally being thought of as a “pen and pencil” technique, it is in fact a key enabler of a lean supply chain linking lean thinking with available and affordable systems and technologies to get the most out of improved processes.

The reduced cost of recycled wooden pallets combined with increased interest in sustainable supply chains makes repaired wooden pallets increasingly popular in warehouses and distributions centers. And while wooden pallets dominate supply chains, plastic pallets are making inroads, particularly among food and pharmaceutical companies that are concerned about contamination issues.

With rumors that Uber and Amazon may be about to launch their own global freight brokerage businesses, traditional forwarders and brokers are understandably nervous. But the British International Freight Association (BIFA) reacts to current speculation by underlining "the vastly challenging and circuitous landscape" that forwarders and brokers operate in daily.

Amazon receives patent to parachute packages from the sky; Supply chain stakeholders double down on climate change; Retailers losing up to 70 percent of order value to fulfillment costs; U.S. manufacturing, logistics industries grew dramatically over last generation;

Grocers will have to transform aggressively and adapt swiftly if they want to avoid the fate of retailers in other segments. They will need to digitize their stores and consumer experiences. Here's how they should optimize their supply chain.

Brands and retailers can win or lose long-term customers on the quality of their product and supply-chain data. Here's how to maintain complete, consistent information that can be understood and utilized throughout the supply chain.

Whole Foods’ 460+ centrally located stores will augment Amazon’s physical infrastructure and allow it to use the stores as distribution centers. In return, Amazon’s targeted transaction data, technological expertise, and logistical prowess catapult Whole Foods into the online realm and suggest a new level of convenience.

VMI is a way for suppliers to manage re-supply by monitoring customer stock levels and forward demand that optimizes working capital with service levels. Use these tips for best managing the VMI relationship.

By quickly adapting to various industries and commodities and responding to client requests with urgency and an extremely high level of customer service quality, a strong 3PL will find it can outlast even the most convenient warehousing options.

The advent of autonomous vehicles is nothing short of a revolution. For the logistics world, it could mean a near end to human-caused accidents and could single-handedly eliminate the driver shortage problem.

People transitioning out of the military possess many skills that directly apply to a career in logistics. Yet a post-military career in logistics remains a largely untapped opportunity. Here’s how to change that.

Volatile demand, shrinking lead times, and new consumption patterns have impacted transportation systems in many ways. That makes it ever more important to maintain an agile, flexible supply chain to gain a competitive advantage.

Distributors continue to play a valuable role within many supply chains. At the same time, changing business models, and especially the rise of e-commerce, are prompting many to enhance the services they offer.

Transparency, honest communication, and a commitment to forming a true partnership with shared goals and values are keys to successful supply chain collaboration between shippers and their third-party logistics providers.

Whether they are supporting ventures in embargoed countries or first-ever projects in remote locations, logistics teams must be prepared to think quickly and clearly when unanticipated challenges arise

CVS Pharmacy, Amazon, and others have invested more than $456 million in warehousing and distribution centers in the KC region, adding 4,700 jobs since 2015. How has this mid-sized Midwestern region been so successful attracting logistics operations? Why are experts predicting continued growth?

Sometimes, for even the most critical shipments, the shipper receives information for only two data points: when the shipment left their hands and confirmation the shipment has arrived. Here's why so-called black box shipping is on its way out.

E-Commerce has generated significant volumes of sales in the U.S. electronics and clothing industries but has yet to gain traction in other retail sectors, according to a CBRE Group, Inc. analysis of recently released government data.

Agilent Technologies, a global high tech life sciences, diagnostics and applied chemical company applies sophisticated scientific methods provided by CorpU to implement sweeping new order fulfillment and supply chain strategies. Using the CorpU platform, and its precision tools, procedures and metrics for both engaging and educating employees, Agilent's transition from design to implementation for new supply chain plans was reduced from months to just 10 days.

Nearly half of avid U.S. online shoppers bought items from international retailers, demonstrating the need for retailers to offer more personalized services as a way to compete against lower prices, according to the sixth annual UPS Pulse of the Online Shopper study.

Powered by the Internet of Things, the next generation control tower will extend supply chain visibility and control tower services down to the level of things – however large, small, or geographically dispersed they may be.

As businesses look for ways to improve and optimize the supply chain with customers in mind, they need to factor in elements that will allow them to leverage the supply chain in order to fuel customer loyalty.

Asia Pacific is home to countries that propel growth and ignite success. Here are the key reasons motivating the world’s LSH companies to establish and expand their supply chains in this geographical region.

J.B. Hunt and University of Arkansas' innovation center will enable engineering, computer science, and business researchers and students to work with J.B. Hunt employees in finding solutions to real-world problems through innovative design and technology-driven supply chain solutions.

Same-day production and delivery is possible if communications between production and logistics is fully automated. A live experiment showed the path of an urgently needed replacement part as it moved from the initial order through production to final delivery: all in a single day.

The primary use for blockchain is improving supply chain transparency and traceability, according to a new benchmark survey focused on blockchain in supply chain management and trade finance. Other important advantages include transaction cost reductions and enhanced trust between supply chain partners.

National average spot truckload rates for van and flatbed freight rose during the week ending May 20 while the rate for spot refrigerated freight remained at its highest mark since January, according to DAT Solutions.

Effectively managing this temperature-controlled supply chain is more challenging than ever. Here are three technologies that are helping life sciences and healthcare organizations meet the sector's increasingly exacting requirements.

Broward County's Port Everglades received unanimous approval from the Broward County Board of County Commissioners to begin a $437.5 million expansion project to add new berths for larger cargo ships and install crane rail infrastructure for new Super Post-Panamax cranes.

Hyster Company is testing high capacity lift trucks with electric motors. The company suggests that, in the near future, ports and heavy industry will be able to electrify their big truck fleets, producing zero emissions while achieving comparable full shift performance.

Memorial Day weekend is one of the most popular times for cargo theft. In contrast to non-holiday weekends, Memorial Day weekend has seen a 40% higher rate in theft. Use these tips to your protect cargo.

Senior executives have set their sights on digital and automated solutions that cut costs and plan to invest in a number of key areas over the next two years, according to the 2017 State of the Outsourcing, Shared Services, and Operations Industry report.

American Trucking Associations opened the application window for its premier industry leadership initiative, LEAD ATA. The program is searching for diverse trucking industry leaders looking to grow their careers and meet other ambitious trucking professionals.

Click and collect has become a key component of retailers' overall e-commerce strategy. Nearly one third of shoppers purchased products online and subsequently picked them up at a store during the 2016 holiday season.

With changing cost dynamics, renewed focus on consistent quality, and new supply chain opportunities, the United States is becoming an increasingly attractive base for manufacturers. Explore the four reasons shoring up reshoring.

The growth of e-commerce, technology change, and other cyclical and structural factors are reshaping supply chains according to a new research from Colliers International. The report also found the three key movers and shakers.

The dip in April vehicle sales in North America is synonymous with the fluctuating demand experienced within the automotive industry, which can lead to increased inventories, production rescheduling, and subsequent supply chain ramifications, advises emergency logistics expert Evolution Time Critical.

As professional logisticians and supply chain managers, we are in a unique position to assist military service members transition into jobs in the supply chain sector. Here's why it's critical to help them and how to do it.

In a globalized economy where finalized products have components manufactured all over the world, effective management of supply chains is critical. Adopt these habits to reduce and mitigate risks faced by supply chain parties.

Despite Lean traditionally being thought of as a “pen and pencil” technique, it is in fact a key enabler of a lean supply chain linking lean thinking with available and affordable systems and technologies to get the most out of improved processes.

The reduced cost of recycled wooden pallets combined with increased interest in sustainable supply chains makes repaired wooden pallets increasingly popular in warehouses and distributions centers. And while wooden pallets dominate supply chains, plastic pallets are making inroads, particularly among food and pharmaceutical companies that are concerned about contamination issues.

The cosmetics industry’s supply chain challenges include an above average number of SKUs, color changes linked to seasons and seasonal collections, products and ingredients requiring a temperature-controlled environment, multiple retail channels, and product trends influenced by celebrities and other taste-makers.

Organizations looking to optimize supply chain and logistics functions should be on the lookout – there will be shifting demand for supply chain and logistics talent within the next decade. Here’s how to prepare.

With rumors that Uber and Amazon may be about to launch their own global freight brokerage businesses, traditional forwarders and brokers are understandably nervous. But the British International Freight Association (BIFA) reacts to current speculation by underlining "the vastly challenging and circuitous landscape" that forwarders and brokers operate in daily.

Rust-Oleum selected Celtic International, Transplace’s intermodal business unit, to provide intermodal and over-the-road transportation services for domestic shipments between its own facilities as well to its retailer customers.

Amazon receives patent to parachute packages from the sky; Supply chain stakeholders double down on climate change; Retailers losing up to 70 percent of order value to fulfillment costs; U.S. manufacturing, logistics industries grew dramatically over last generation;

Whole Foods’ 460+ centrally located stores will augment Amazon’s physical infrastructure and allow it to use the stores as distribution centers. In return, Amazon’s targeted transaction data, technological expertise, and logistical prowess catapult Whole Foods into the online realm and suggest a new level of convenience.

By quickly adapting to various industries and commodities and responding to client requests with urgency and an extremely high level of customer service quality, a strong 3PL will find it can outlast even the most convenient warehousing options.

The advent of autonomous vehicles is nothing short of a revolution. For the logistics world, it could mean a near end to human-caused accidents and could single-handedly eliminate the driver shortage problem.

Volatile demand, shrinking lead times, and new consumption patterns have impacted transportation systems in many ways. That makes it ever more important to maintain an agile, flexible supply chain to gain a competitive advantage.

Transparency, honest communication, and a commitment to forming a true partnership with shared goals and values are keys to successful supply chain collaboration between shippers and their third-party logistics providers.

Amazon and Walmart are battling it out to conquer the last mile of the supply chain. It's important to note that this is not a competition for the grocery industry, but rather a battle of the distribution center.

Asia Pacific is home to countries that propel growth and ignite success. Here are the key reasons motivating the world’s LSH companies to establish and expand their supply chains in this geographical region.

J.B. Hunt and University of Arkansas' innovation center will enable engineering, computer science, and business researchers and students to work with J.B. Hunt employees in finding solutions to real-world problems through innovative design and technology-driven supply chain solutions.

Same-day production and delivery is possible if communications between production and logistics is fully automated. A live experiment showed the path of an urgently needed replacement part as it moved from the initial order through production to final delivery: all in a single day.

The primary use for blockchain is improving supply chain transparency and traceability, according to a new benchmark survey focused on blockchain in supply chain management and trade finance. Other important advantages include transaction cost reductions and enhanced trust between supply chain partners.

National average spot truckload rates for van and flatbed freight rose during the week ending May 20 while the rate for spot refrigerated freight remained at its highest mark since January, according to DAT Solutions.

Broward County's Port Everglades received unanimous approval from the Broward County Board of County Commissioners to begin a $437.5 million expansion project to add new berths for larger cargo ships and install crane rail infrastructure for new Super Post-Panamax cranes.

Hyster Company is testing high capacity lift trucks with electric motors. The company suggests that, in the near future, ports and heavy industry will be able to electrify their big truck fleets, producing zero emissions while achieving comparable full shift performance.

The retail industry's international expansion slowed a bit in 2016 from its strong pace of a year earlier as retailers adjusted to e-commerce and shifting exchange rates, according to CBRE Group Inc.’s international retail expansion study.

Memorial Day weekend is one of the most popular times for cargo theft. In contrast to non-holiday weekends, Memorial Day weekend has seen a 40% higher rate in theft. Use these tips to your protect cargo.

American Trucking Associations opened the application window for its premier industry leadership initiative, LEAD ATA. The program is searching for diverse trucking industry leaders looking to grow their careers and meet other ambitious trucking professionals.

Click and collect has become a key component of retailers' overall e-commerce strategy. Nearly one third of shoppers purchased products online and subsequently picked them up at a store during the 2016 holiday season.

Slotting – determining the locations of your SKUs in your warehouse – used to be an easy concept. But in the new world of warehousing focusing exclusively to a large degree on e-commerce sales, this is no longer simple.

Spring cargo numbers from the St. Lawrence Seaway and U.S. ports are signaling a better year for Great Lakes-Seaway shipping. According to the latest figures from the St. Lawrence Seaway, total cargo shipments via the Seaway from the start of the shipping season (March 20 through April 30) reached 3.7 million metric tons, up 8% from the same period a year ago.

E-commerce grocery delivery is seeing massive growth, and is expected to continue to shake up the traditional grocery industry as online grocery sales are forecasted to account for as much as 20% of all grocery sales by 2025.

The growth of e-commerce, technology change, and other cyclical and structural factors are reshaping supply chains according to a new research from Colliers International. The report also found the three key movers and shakers.

The dip in April vehicle sales in North America is synonymous with the fluctuating demand experienced within the automotive industry, which can lead to increased inventories, production rescheduling, and subsequent supply chain ramifications, advises emergency logistics expert Evolution Time Critical.

South Carolina Ports Authority had its strongest April container volumes on record, with 189,315 twenty foot-equivalent units (TEUs) handled last month. In addition to being the strongest April in SCPA history, last month’s volumes were the second-highest ever handled by the Port.

In a globalized economy where finalized products have components manufactured all over the world, effective management of supply chains is critical. Adopt these habits to reduce and mitigate risks faced by supply chain parties.

The new shipping alliances that came into effect a month ago are unlikely to increase ocean freight competitiveness between the United States and its NAFTA partners, according to iContainers, an online freight forwarder.

The cosmetics industry’s supply chain challenges include an above average number of SKUs, color changes linked to seasons and seasonal collections, products and ingredients requiring a temperature-controlled environment, multiple retail channels, and product trends influenced by celebrities and other taste-makers.

Organizations looking to optimize supply chain and logistics functions should be on the lookout – there will be shifting demand for supply chain and logistics talent within the next decade. Here’s how to prepare.